Salem Reporter publishes a regular column from Mark Wardell, West Salem team leader for Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and planning.
What is 2 Weeks Ready? – Unit 7
The Oregon Emergency Management “Be 2 Weeks Ready” program is a comprehensive guide to preparing for emergencies. Unit 7 focuses on first-aid preparedness, emphasizing the importance of knowing basic first aid skills and having the necessary supplies readily available.
Imagine a scenario: a powerful earthquake strikes, shaking your home violently. Pictures fall from the walls, shelves tumble, and a sense of chaos ensues. You hear a cry from your child’s room – they’ve fallen and injured their arm. In this moment of panic, knowing what to do can make all the difference.
Unit 7 of the “Be 2 Weeks Ready” program equips you with the knowledge and tools to handle such situations effectively. It encourages you to:
Build a comprehensive first-aid kit: This kit should be well-stocked with essential items like bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary medications for household members. The program provides a detailed checklist to ensure you have everything you need.
Take a first aid and CPR/AED training course: These courses provide valuable hands-on experience and the confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations. Many community organizations offer these courses at affordable rates.
Practice your first aid skills: Regular practice helps to reinforce learned techniques and build confidence. The program suggests practicing basic skills like bandaging, treating minor burns, and performing CPR on a mannequin.
Consider taking a more advanced first aid course: Depending on your needs and interests, you may want to consider taking a more advanced course, such as wilderness first aid or infant/child CPR. These courses can provide specialized knowledge and skills for specific situations.
By completing Unit 7, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to provide immediate care to yourself and others in the event of an injury. This preparedness can significantly improve your chances of a positive outcome in an emergency situation and provide peace of mind knowing you are ready to respond effectively.
Remember, preparedness is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your first-aid kit, refresh your skills through practice, and consider taking additional training courses as needed. By taking these proactive steps, you can increase your resilience and be better prepared to face any emergency that may arise.
Week by week to become 2 Weeks Ready
Following these steps will help you build a two-week emergency preparedness plan over a one-year period. While two weeks is a good baseline, remember that preparedness is an ongoing process. Once you’ve achieved a two-week preparedness level, consider building upon it by adding supplies for another two weeks.
Week 26 – We are over halfway through, how is your kit looking? Here is an easy week – a whistle! Put one near your bed and in your kit. If you are trapped and no one can find you, they will hear you!
Week 27 – Fire extinguisher is our next item. The best type to get is a Class ABC; it can quickly put out fire from trash/paper/wood, liquids and gases, and electrical sources. They have a long shelf life but be sure to check the charge regularly!
Week 28 – Cans of juice or shelf-stable juice boxes are the next item on our list. Depending on how much juice your family will drink, pack accordingly. Large cans may be cheaper but not as convenient as smaller cans; plus, much heavier. With sugar or without, whatever your preference.
Week 29 – Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins, we know during an emergency we may not eat the healthiest, so pack those vitamins! You will also want ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, antihistamine, and any other OTC meds you may need.
These steps are based on recommendations previously shared by Marion County. This is a suggested year-long plan to spread out the cost of acquiring supplies. Feel free to adjust the pace to fit your needs and budget.
Coming up next month
Next month we’ll get to Unit 8 of the 2 Weeks Ready plan which will cover emergency management. If you would like to read ahead, you will find all the information provided by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management by visiting the official 2 Weeks Ready website.
Empowering our community with CERT
One of the core missions of CERT is to empower individuals and communities to be better prepared for emergencies. Whether it’s a simple power outage, a severe winter storm, or a catastrophic event like the Cascadia earthquake, preparedness is key.
By educating and training community members, CERT aims to build a more resilient community. During a major disaster, resources will be stretched thin. By teaching others how to be self-sufficient and assist their neighbors, we can lessen the overall impact and expedite recovery efforts.
Here are just a few examples of what you can learn through CERT training:
- How to extinguish small fires
- How to search for and rescue victims
- How to shut off utilities
- How to provide basic medical aid
If you’re part of a community group, such as a church, civic organization, HOA, or even a small neighborhood group, CERT can provide tailored presentations on a variety of preparedness topics. From basic emergency kit assembly to basic first-aid techniques, or being 2 Weeks Ready, we can customize our presentations to meet your specific needs and interests.
To schedule a CERT presentation for your group, please contact me. Together, we can build a more resilient community.
If you have any questions about this article, preparedness in general, or if you’d like to inquire about joining CERT or scheduling a CERT presentation for your organization, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mark Wardell, at [email protected].
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Mark Wardell - Special to Salem Reporter
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Mark lived there most of his life before moving to West Salem in 2018. After moving to West Salem, he joined the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a FEMA program sponsored locally by the Salem Fire Department. Initially he focused on ham radio communications, but recently transitioned to Team Leader in West Salem. Mark writes about emergency preparedness for Salem Reporter.